Favorite Writing Advice

Favorite writing advice

Read. Read. Read. (Literally every author/writer says this. And it’s true.)

Protect your writing time and space. Make it sacred.

Keep a notebook on hand (could be the sticky notes on your phone, which is where I keep all my notes for when I think of future ideas, quotes, characters, etc.)

Read it out loud to yourself. (This is actually true for ANY type of writing. It just helps you hear the “flow” and if anything sounds awkward)

 “The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.” — Neil Gaiman

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” –Jack London

Early Modern Europe and (very milky) soy coffee

Me: *Has a drawer full of empty notebooks*

Also me: *Goes to a store* omg notebooks

Joanna | @waitingforalice

Things to ask a small press publisher

There’s a ton of information out there about indie/self publishing, and a ton about “traditional publishing” (which I’m defining here as getting an agent and working with a large commercial publishing house). But there’s very little about small press publishing, other than caveats about avoiding scams. 

Since I’m about to embark on my third experience working with a small press, and I was briefly marketing manager for one, I figured I might have something helpful and positive to say about it. 

Small press publishing can be a great experience, or a horrible disappointment. As with any publishing path, the key is doing your homework, and not getting so swept away in the excitement of SOMEONE WANTING TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK that you overlook potential problems. 

First things first, weeding out the obvious scams: No legitimate press, even a small one, will EVER charge you money to publish your book. Reading fees, etc. are a GIANT RED FLAG. Familiarize yourself with Yog’s Law: money always flows to the writer. Anyone who demands money to put your book into print isn’t a publisher. They’re a printer. 

For God’s sake, look at your freaking contract:

Most small presses don’t pay advances. Some people will say that’s a red flag, but it’s pretty typical. Small presses run lean, and they’re going to have to spend upfront money in editing, cover design and layout. That’s their investment. But they do offer fair (and sometimes negotiable) terms for splitting royalties. Typically the split is better for eBooks than for print copies. Also, be aware that the royalty split is going to be on net profits. That’s what they earn after paying for printing or paying Amazon’s or another company’s cut on eBooks. 

For the love of God, look at what rights you’re signing over. Make absolutely sure the contract specifies geography (Worldwide, US, US/UK?), format (print? e-book? audiobook?), language (it’s unusual to ask for foreign language rights. If they do, it’s typically something you can push back on). 

Do they expressly leave you rights to Merchandising? Graphic novels? Film rights? Can you do other things with your characters? Do they want first right of refusal on sequels? These are things you want to know going in.  

What’s the term? I’ve had small press contracts for 2 years, 5 years, and 7 years. “Forever” or “in perpetuity” is not an acceptable term. If a small press wants you to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to ever get your rights back, contest that sh!t. And if they won’t back down, walk away. 

It’s fair for them to ask for a term that will ensure they can earn out their investment and profit on your book. It’s not fair for them to lock up your rights in perpetuity. Especially considering how often small presses fold. It’s pretty damn tough to get your rights back from a company that doesn’t exist anymore. I’ve known writers who lost their rights for decades because an editor died. If your term is 5 years, you have a contract stating in five years you get your rights back. No matter what else happens.

Beyond the contract:

Look at their covers. Some small presses have great covers. (I have a friend whose gorgeous, fully-painted small press covers are amazing.) Some have covers that are nothing short of embarrassing. Most are a mixed bag. 

If you see some that give you pause, ask about it. Maybe it’s from when they were just getting started, and their standards are higher now. Maybe the author pitched a hissy fit and insisted on keeping their (horrible) self-designed cover. But covers sell books. So make sure you get a say, and make sure they have the wherewithal to provide one that doesn’t suck. 

Ask about their distribution. What really separates the pros from the hobbyists in small presses is their ability to get your book into the hands of readers. 

Your print books being Print on Demand (POD) isn’t a big deal. But having your print copies run through LightningSource or IngramSpark as opposed to Createspace, makes it 1000% easier to get them into a Barnes & Noble. Do they sell at events? Have shelf-space in a few indie bookstores or gift shops? 

If they’re digital-only, what is their marketing plan? Will they do a BookBub, or if not (it’s genuinely tough to get in), a collection of smaller promotional emails like BargainBooksy? Will they buy ads on Amazon or Facebook? Schedule a blog book tour? Make the ARC available on Netgalley or send it out to a list to garner reviews? 

How are they going to earn their part of the royalty, beyond editing, cover design and layout? If those things are all they are bringing to the table, and you’re going to be solely responsible for sales and marketing, you might be better served paying someone to do those things, and going the self/indie publishing route. Just to be clear: any publisher is going to expect you to also help market and sell your book. But you shouldn’t be doing it all. 

Small press publishing is more than anything else a partnership. And it can be awesome, when you have a team who are truly as excited about your work as you are. That’s a great feeling. You’re contributing your intellectual property and months or years of your work. Just make sure they’re delivering their part.  

By sadie_reads_them_all